Master key controlled permutation locks



May 1, 1962 D. J. FooTE ET Ax. 3,031,876

MASTER KEY coNTRoLLED PERMUTATION LocKs Filed March 8, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 lWWII" "WHIIU" will!) Il lllIlll May 1, 1962 D. J. FooTE ET A1. 3,031,876

MASTER KEY CONTROLLED PERMUTATION LOCKS Filed March 8, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 /iw 525? if mmaermmb May 1, 1962 D. J. FooTE ET AL 3,031,876

MASTER KEY CONTROLLED PERMUTATION LOCKS Filed March 8, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 o8 l EN ORS Mdm BY MMM/0M locker.

United States Patent O 3,031,876 MASTER KEY CNTROLLED PERMUTA- TON LOCKS Daniel J. Foote, Wauwatosa, and Richard M. Buller,

Menomonee Falls, Wis., assignors to Master Lock Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Filed Mar. 8, 196i), Ser. No. 13,509 4 Claims. (Ci. 70-285) This invention relates to improvements in master key controlled permutation locks, and more particularly to a permutation locker lock with a novel master key control cylinder mechanism including a pin tumbler cylinder in the `dialing knob assembly.

Ordinarily, Where permutation locker locks are used, it is necessary to dial out the pre-assigned combination for each lock if it is desired to open the individual lock and However, permutation locker locks with a key control mechanism lare used on the lockers in schools, factories, and public buildings where the principal, superintendent, foreman, or supervisor has possession of the key which controls the opening of any one or all in a group or installation of locker locks, if so desired, without the need for dialing the combinations on the individual locks.

A general object of the invention is to provide an improved permutation locker lock incorporating novel internal lock mechanism, dialing knob assembly and improved upsetting and self-locking mechanism which may be opened by the permutation dialing mechanism or by a master key control.

Another object of the invention is to provide a master key controlled permutation lock having a reliable and eifective lock opening mechanism and wherein the lock bolt of the lock may be moved by the use of a key independent ofthe permutation mechanism.

A further object of lthe invention is to provide a pin tumbler cylinder in the knob assembly of a permutation locker lock, which may be turned by a properly cut key to release the lock bolt land open the lock without the necessity of dialing to rotate the tumbler discs.

A still further object of the invention is to provide, in a permutation locker lock, a non-rotating cylinder retainer plate to prevent rota-tion of the cylinder when dialing the lock, with a stop tab to prevent accidental overtravel of the cylinder, when assembling or mounting.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in a permutation locker lock, a pin tumbler cylinder encased in the dialing knob, which cylinder has the identical arrangement of pins as in other locker locks in the same installation or group, so that the same single key may be used by an authorized person or supervisor to open all of the locker locks in the group without the necessity of dialing each individual lock.

A further object of the invention is to provide a permutation locker lock having an improved cylinder, cylinder retainer plate, plug extension and notched key control cam, whereby the lock may be opened and the locking bolt released, by the use of a single control key without the necessity of dialing.

A further object of this invention is to provide a permutation locker lock with key control of simple yet sturdy construction, which is precision built, is relatively simple and easy to assemble, and which will function eiliciently for the intended uses.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists of the improved master key controlled permutation lock and its parts and combinations as set forth in the claims,and all equivalents thereof.

In the accompanying drawings in which-the same reference characters indicate the same parts in all of the views and wherein lcertain parts not essential to the operation 3,931,876 Patented May 1, 1962 of the present improvements have been omitted for the sake of clarity:

FIG. l is a fragmentary front view of a locker door equipped with the improved master key controlled permutation lock;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional View taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional View through a portion of a locker door and the improved permutation lock installed therein, showing the master key inserted;

' FIG. 4 is a View taken approximately along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3 with certain plates removed;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken approximately along the line 5--5 of FIG. 3, showing the position of the internal parts of the lock when the lock is in its normally locked condition;

FIG. 6 is a similar View of the lock case showing the parts engaged after the permutation mechanism has been correctly operated and showing both the lock bolt and the locker latching bar partially raised;

FIG. 7 is a similar view of the lock case showing the position of the internal mechanism when the lock is opened and the master key controlled cam is turned a quarter of a revolution, without dialing;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the master key controlled notched cam, on a reduced scale;

FIG. 9 is a face view, von a reduced scaleof the locking slide showing a V-projection on its face which is adapted to engage notches in the cam;

FIG. l0 is an edge' view of the locking slide;

FIG. l1 is a fragmentary front view of the locker door equipped with the improved master key controlled permutation lock only showing the door opening in a direction opposite to that disclosed in FIG. l; and

FIG. 12 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 5 only showing the lock reversed over the showing in FIG. 5 to conform to the direction of opening of the door in FIG. l1.

While the improved master key controlled permutation lock is susceptible of broader application, in its preferred environment the locks may be incorporated in the hinged doors of -a series of lockers such as are used in schools, factories and public buildings where some official or custodian may have possession of a master key which controls the opening of one or all of the locks in said group of lockers, should it be expedient or necessary for the ocial to open one or more of the locks Without the necessity of dialing the different combinations of the individual locks.

By way of illustration, therefore, and with particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, it Will appear that the numeral 20 indicates the hinged door of a standard locker 21 of the type mentioned. The locker 21 and the latch mechanism for the door are of standard construction so only certain features thereof will be briefly described. Within the vertical margin of the free edge of the locker door 20, opposite the hinged margin thereof, there is mounted a vertically reciprocating latching bar 22 which is adapted to be raised and lowered to bring the upper shoulder of a slot 23 into and out of latching engagement with a latch dog 24 ixedly mounted on a frame portion of the locker adjacent the vertical margin of the` door opening. Said latch dog carries resilient door Stop bumpers 25. On the exterior of the locker door 20 adjacent the free vertical margin thereof is mounted an operating handle 26 having tongue portions 27 integral therewith which extend through slots 28 in the face of vthe door 20 and are secured to the latching bar 22. Consequently, when the permutation lock installed ,in the locker door, and which will be described in detail hereinafter, is unlocked, the handle 26 may be lifted vertically to raise the latching bar 22 and disengage the top shoulder of the slot 23 from the latching dog 24, whereby the locker door is free to be swung to open position.

Theimproved master key controlled permutation lock is indicated generally by the numeral 29 and it is mounted on a face of the locker door adjacent the free vertical margin thereof and above the latch operating handle 26, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Portions of the lock extend through an opening therefor in the locker door 201. 'I'he lock casing 30 is in practice secured adjacent the inner face of the door 20 and carries certain internal mechanism which controls a lock bolt 31 which projects through a vertical slot 32 in the locker door latching bar 22 and, depending upon the position of the lock bolt 31 relative to the ends of the slot 32, said lock bolt will block or permit vertical reciprocation of the locker door latching bar 22, the lock bolt 31 being reciprocatable vertically within said slot 32 when certain of the internal mechanism of the lock is operated.

The permutation lock 29 includes a knurled knob 23 which projects outwardly from the outer face of the loc-ker door 20 and which has formed integral therewith a larger graduated dial 34 operatively overlying an outer face p0rtion of the door 20. The combined knob and dial 313-34 is mounted in the manner shown and described in the Stahl et al. copending application Serial No. 10,760, filed February 24, 1960. The dial mounting assembly includes an escutcheon plate '37 which carries a decorative overlay and which covers and rendersinaccessible certain securing bolts 39.

The numeral 42 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) designates a notched combination setting plate of a type Well known in the permutation lock art and which can be arranged in a variety of circularly advanced positions so that a selected pair of diametrically opposed notches 43 therein Will engage a pair of diametrically opposed semicircular lugs 44 formed on a ring 45 surrounding the opening in the inner end of the knob and dial assembly. Also the notched plate 42, which has a central circular opening therein, has adjacent a marginal portion of said central opening an integral nger 46 fat right angles to the plane of the plate 42 which is adapted to register with a slot therefore in the hub portion 47 of a circular disc driver plate 47.

It will thus be seen that manual rotation of the dial knob 33 is effective, through the notched plate 42 carried fast thereby in a predetermined position, to turn the circular disc driver plate 47 because the latter is positively engaged by the linger 46 on the notched plate.

An essential feature of the present invention is the incorporation within the dialing knob 33, of a pin-tumbler cylinder and cylinder retaining plate, plus a plug extension and cam in the lock case 30, all of which will hereinafter be described and Which mechanism is so `arranged as to provide a master key control for the locker lock.

The pin-tumbler cylinder designated generally by the numeral 48 is xedly mounted Within the hollow dialing knob 33 as best shown in FIG. 3 and the plug 49 of said assembly which is rotatable within the cylinder is eX- tended at its forward end into a recess 50 therefore in the'vfront wall of the dialing knob 33, the front wall of the knob having an opening 51 therein which registers within the front end of the plug and provides access for the insertion of a master key 52 into the -key slot 53 of the plug 49. The numeral 54 indicates a cylinder retaining plate which will prevent rotation of the entire cylinder 48. This cylinder retaining plate is formed with a pair of forwardly directed spaced apart arms 55 which straddle a cylinder shell flange 56. This arrangement prevents rotation of the cylinder assembly when the dialing knob 33 is turned. Certain fingers 57 which are integral with the cylinder retaining plate 54 and which project inwardly from the inner face ofthe latter, project into `and engage slots therefor in a stationary tumbler disc shaft 58 which is secured fast at its inner end to the back retaining plate 59 within the lock case 30. From FIGS. 3 and 4 it will be observed that there is a formed ear 60 on the notched plate 42 which functions to prevent accidental over-rotation of the cylinder plug during assembly or during installation of the lock in the door of the locker or cabinet.

The permutation mechanism housed Within the lock casing 30 for controlling the lock 31 has been described in detail in the Stahl et al. co-pending application for Permutation Lock, Seria-l No. 10,760 tiled February 24, 1960. For the present disclosure it Will be sufficient to state that said mechanism includes a reciprocatable lever retaining or mounting bar 61, a Z-shaped lever dog 62 pivotally mounted on the lever retaining bar 61 and engageable with the notches of the tumbler discs 63, the latter being revolubly mounted on the shouldered post 53, yand a yieldingly mounted reciprocatable locking slide 64. Through the permutation mechanism mentioned, when the knob 33 is turned to dial the correct combination the lever dog 62, in entering the aligned notches in the tumbler disc 63, retracts the locking slide 64 from its holding engagement with the lever retaining bar 55 and permits the locker latching bar 22` to be reciprocated upwardly through manual operation `of the handle 26, which movement also shifts the lock bolt 31 upwardly in the latching bar slot 32. The locker door may thus be opened, and as is explained in said coi-pending application, the upward movement of the Ylock bolt 31 which moves upwardly with the lever retaining bar 61 and lever dog 62, upsets the tumbler discs, and also provides an arrangement whereby the lock is self-locking when the locker door is closed and the latching bar 22 is lowered to engage with the latch dog 24.

However, when it is desired to open the improved lock by the use `of a master control key 52 which is inserted in the slot or keyway in the cylinder plug 49', if lthe key is turned one-quarter of a revolution clockwise, relative to the drawings, the cylinder plug 49 and the semi-cylindrical extension 65 thereof will turn through a similar arc in the lock case. The semi-cylindrical extension 65 of the cylinder plug 49 is, however, 'in engagement with a similar semi-cylindrical end portion 66 of a plug extension 67 which is rotatably journaled inthe post 5S. The other end portion of the plug extension 67 on the outer side of the plate 59 carries fast thereon a cam 68 shown in detail in FIG. 8. Said cam 68 is normally lin the position shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 with its low side out of engagement with the adjacent end of the yieldingly mounted locking slide 64. However, when the master key 52 turns the plug extension 67 the cam 68 is turned to an advanced position which presents the high side of the cam. The latter, then operating against the shouldered end 64 of the locking slide 64 forces said locking slide to the left, relative to FIGS. 5, 6 'and 7, against the tension of the spring 69. This removes the locking slide from its locking engagement with the lever mounting bar 61 and permits the lock bolt 31, lever dog 62 and lever mounting bar 61 to be released yand moved upwardly as a unit beyond the retracted end of the locking slide 64 and againstthe tension of a spring 70. Simultaneously one of a pair of notches 71 in the curved periphery of the cam 68 will register vwith a mating protru-sion 72 on the shouldered portion 64 of the locking slide 64 and click thereinto and this serves as an indication of the limit of turning movement of the key, plug and plug extension. This registration of the protrusion 72 in a notch 71 will also releasably hold the parts in the turned position until it is desired to turn the parts in the other direction. By virtue of the release of the locking slide 64 from the assembly which includes Ithe member 61, and the consequent release of the lock bolt 31 and latching bar 22, the open condition of the lock will be attained without dialing and said operation, of course, permits the locker handle and latching bar to be manually raised. Hence, an oflicial or custodian can gain entry to any locker in the series by the use of the master control key 52Y without the necessity of dialing an individual lock. Actually, the operation of the tumbler discs 63 within the lock casing is by-passed through the turning of the key, which through turning the plug extension 67 and the cam 68, yieldingly retracts the locking slide 64 from the lock bolt assembly associated with the bar 61.

When it is desired to re-lock the locker lock after the use of the key it is merely necessary to turn the key a one-quarter revolution in a counter-clockwise direction relative to the drawings whereby the cam 68, the extension plug 67 and the plug 49 are turned back to their original positions and the engaged notch in the cam 68 moves away from the protru-sion 72 on the locking slide and another notch 61 in the cam clicks intol the protrusion 72 on the locking slide at the low point of the cam which of course allows the spring 69 to move the locking slide 64 back into holding engagement with lthe bar 61. The combined -action of lowering the locker door handle 26 and the latching bar 22, together with the expansive force of the spring 70 and the reverse turning of the key 52 and plug 49 permits the lock bolt 31, the lever dog 62 and the lever mounting bau` 61 to reciprocate downwardly to the normal locked position.. At this point the master key 52 may be removed from the cylinder and plug assembly and due to tlhe fact that the key is then in its normal initial position all of the cylinder pins (not shown) which are conventional in key operated cylinder plugs are properly aligned. When the locker door is closed and the key removed the lock mechanism automatically functions to self latch or lock the door.

It should be understood that when an official or custodian uses the master control key 52 for the manipulation of the internal lock mechanism to permit opening of the lock the operator does not necessarily have :to close the locker door and downwardly reciprocate the latching bar 22 to effect the locking of the lock. This is accomplished automatically regardless of whether or not the locker door is open or closed. This is important 'because the custodian or operator having t-he master key cannot under any conditions get the lock mechanism out of adjustment or fouled. For instance, if the master key is inserted in the keyway 53 in fthe lock plug and turned one-quarter of a revolution in a direction to open the lock, the locker door may thereafter be opened as previously explained and the locker contents exam-ined. Thereafter, by manually engaging the locker handle 26 and closing the locker door and turning the key back lto its original position the key may Ibe removed with the door in a closed locked condition. As an alternative, while the master key is in the lock after the locker door is opened the operator can turn the key back to its original locking position and then close the door by means of operating the handle 26 or slamming the door and the door will be locked. A further alternative is that the locker door can be opened by turning the control key to its unlocking position followed by opening the locker door and then turning the key back to its original position and removing the key. With the key removed the locker door may be closed by the handle or by pushing the door and the self-latching feature secures the door in its locked condi-tion. It should be understood, therefore, that in the manipulations mentioned it is of no consequence whether lthe locker door is opened or closed or whether the locker handle is up or down because, in either position, upon the closing of the locker door the self latching devices in the assemblage automatically function to secure the door in its locked condition.

By referring to FIG. 5 of the drawings it will be observed that the internal mechanisms within the lock case 30 are in their normally locked condition. As shown, the forward reduced end of the locking slide 64 is Within the U-shaped recess 73 provided therefor in the margin of the lever mounting bar 61 and this prevents the said bar 61 from moving upwardly to a lock bolt releasing position. When the lock is in this condition a person having knowledge of the correct combination may open the lock by dialing so as to bring the notches in the tumbler discs into alignment to permit the entry of the nose portion of the latch dog 62 thereinto. Then, the manual raising of the locker handle and the latching bar 22 is effective to raise the lock bolt 31 to the position shown in FIG. 6 which is not the full upward movement of the lock bolt but, as was explained in said co-pending Stahl, et al. application, this upward movement of the locking bolt causes the lever dog 62 to rock into the tumbler disc notches, as in FIG. 6, and this movement of the lever dog causes its nose portion to push the locking slide 64 toward a retracted position wherein it is' released from the lever mounting bar 61. This is the open position of the lock `and permits the locker handle and latching bar 20 to be fully raised and released from the latch dog 24.

FIG. 7, however, shows the locking slide 64 released from the lever mounting bar 61 without the dialing operation of the tumbler discs, which condition is accomplished by the use of the master key as previously explained, and which permits the opening of the locker door.

It should be understood that while FIGS. l-7 of the drawings illustrate the lock mechanism as applied to a door having its free edge along the right margin of the door, should the locker or cabinet have a door opening in a reverse direction, as shown in FIG. ll, a reversed lock casing and mechanism shown in FIG. 12 may be utilized, but the structural features are the same.

It should be furthermore understood that the present invention, while utilizing the basic permutation lock structure of that disclosed in said co-pending Stahl, et al application has, in addition thereto, the master key control cylinder and plug assembly mounted in the dialing knob and which, through the plug extension 67 operates the cam 68 to control the position of the locking slide 64, the latter being the instrumentality for securing or releasing the assembly which movably carries the lock bolt 31.

The improved master key controlled permutation lock, especially suited to lockers, cabinets and the like, is easy to assemble and install, is susceptible of operation by dialing the tumbler discs or by the use of a master key, incorporates various safety factors, and is well adapted for the purposes described.

What is claimed as the invention is:

l. A combination lock comprising, a lock casing, a latching bar reciprocally mounted exteriorly of the casing, a unitary lock bolt reciprocally mounted through the casing for movement parallel to the latching bar and engaging the latter to control reciprocation thereof, a plurality of super-imposed notched tumbler discs rotatable within the casing on an axis perpendicular to the path of movement of the bolt, means including a knob for turning said discs to a predetermined position wherein their notches are in registration, a lever retaining bar reciprocally mounted in the casing to move in a plane parallel to the plane of movement of the latching bar, a lever pivotally mounted on said lever retaining bar and having a nose portion engageable and disengageable with the notches of the tumbler discs when they are in the predetermined position of registration, and also engageable with the bolt, a locking slide yieldingly reciprocally mounted in the casing at right angles to the path of movement of the lever retaining bar and normally engaging the latter to prevent movement of the retaining bar and bolt, but being released when the lever nose swings to a tumbler disc notch engaging position, a key-receiving cylinder plug independently rotatably housed within said knob and turnable upon the insertion of a proper key, a locking slide operating member within the casing and movable into and out of engagement with said locking slide to release it from the lever retaining bar independently of operation of said lever and the tumbler discs, and a motion transmitting connection between the cylinder plug and the locking slide operating member.

2. In a master key controlled permutation lock having 7 a movable lock bolt, a hollow, stationary, outer tumbler disc shaft, tumbler discs rotatably mounted on said shaft, a manually turnable knob operatively connected with said tumbler discs for turning the same on the stationary shaft, a movably mounted lock bolt movement controlling as sembly, and a reciprocal, yielding slide plate releasably engageable with said lock bolt movement controlling assembly to prevent operation of the latter, said slide plate being yieldingly released from its locking engagement with. said lock bolt movement controlling assembly by turning; movements of said tumbler discs to pre-determined posi-- tions, the improvement which comprises; means inde-` pendent of the knob, tumbler disc shaft and tumbler discsV for yieldingly releasing said slide plate from said lock bolt movement controlling assembly including a key operated cylinder plug independently turnably housed within said knob, a plug extension extended axially through said disc. shaft and turnable therein, and a cam mounted on an end portion o` the plug extension and engageable with said slide plate to retract it from engagement with the lock bolt movement controlling assembly when said cylinder plug is turned by an applied key.

3. A combination lock comprising, a lock casing, a latching bar reciprocally mounted exteriorly of the casing, a lock bolt reciprocally mounted through the casing for movement parallel to the latching bar and engaging the latter to control reciprocation thereof, a plurality of superimposed notched tumbler discs rotatably mounted within the casing, means including a knob for turning said discs to a predetermined position wherein their notches are in registration, a lever retaining bar reciprocally mounted in the casing` to move in a plane parallel to theY plane of movement of the latching bar, a lever pivotally mounted on said lever retaining bar and having a first portion engageable and disengageable with the notches of the tumbler discs when they are in a predetermined position of registration, and having a second portion engageable with the bolt, a locking slide yieldingly movably mounted in the casing and normally engaging the lever retaining bar to prevent movement of the latter and the bolt,.but being released when the lever is swung to a tumbler disc notch engaging position, a key-receiving cylinder plug independently rotatably 1housed within said knob and turnable upon the insertion therein of a proper key, a locking slide operating member Within the casing and movable into and out of engagement with said locking slide to release it from the lever retaining bar independently of operation of the lever and tumbler discs, and a motion transmitting connection between the cylinder plug and thev locking slide operating member.

4. A combination lock comprising, a movable lock bolt, a hollow stationary outer tumbler disc shaft, turnbler discs rotatably mounted on said outer shaft, a manually turnable knob operatively connected with said turnbler discs for turning the same on the stationary shaft, a movably mounted lock bolt movement controlling assembly, a yieldingly movable slide plate releasably engageable with said lock bolt movement controlling assembly to prevent operation of the latter, said slide plate being yieldingl'y released from its locking engagement with said lock bolt movement controlling assembly by turning movements of said tumbler discs t'o predetermined positions, a turnably mounted key operated cylinder plug within said knob, a plug extension extended axially through said disc' shaft and turnable therein, and means carried by an inner end portion of the plug extension and engageable with said slide plate to release it from engagement with the lock bolt movement controlling assembly when said cylinder plug is turned by an applied key whereby the lock boltl movement controlling assembly may be operated independently of its operation through said tumbler discs.

References Cited inthe tileA of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

